Street Poets Podcast

In our season-ending cross-over episode which first aired on the podcast “I'm No Hero,” Street Poets Founder and former Executive Director Chris Henrikson shares some of the challenges, joys and hard-won wisdom from Street Poets' early days - in conversation with our former associate director, comedy writer Justin Heimberg (a.k.a. Justy Jones).  Street Poets has come a long way since Chris first began teaching poetry to the incarcerated boys at Camp Fred Miller (Los Angeles County Probation Department) back in 1995, but the core practice of “listening with love” remains at the heart of our work.  We invite you to join us in that practice now as we hear from two original Street Poets family members who helped to plant and nurture the seed of what continues to blossom into a beautiful Grandfather tree here on the streets of our City of Angels.This STREET POETS PODCAST crossover episode"GOOD SEEDS: Chris Henrikson & the Street Poets Origin Story"first aired in 2022 on the I'M NO HERO" podcast and is being re-published by Street Poets Inc. with the blessing & permission of Justin Heimberg.• Hosted by Art Quiros• Produced by Chris Henrikson• Featuring Chris Henrikson with Justin Heimberg (a.k.a. Justy Jones)• Edited by Art Quiros• Street Poets "I Got Love" Podcast Theme Music features:Vocals by BRIA & Taylor Code, Music by Dave WittmanFor more soulful, funny, entertaining interviews exploring the theme of bravery, check out the "I'M NO HERO" podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you like to listen.For more information about Street Poets' youth outreach programs in the streets, schools and probation facilities of Los Angeles and beyond: streetpoetsinc.com   Thank you for listening & supporting our first season of the STREET POETS PODCAST!METAPHORS BE WITH YOU!  

This episode illuminates the inspiring origin story of Street Poets' Artistic Director, poet/author and Minister of Metaphor, Barbara Fant.  Since her early days growing up in Youngstown, Ohio, Barbara has followed her calling – the transformational practice of poetry – through hardship and healing, darkness and light, to the cafe open-mics of Columbus to West Africa to our City of Angels and beyond.  Barbara's journey is a celebration of the power of the Word.  It's a real-life story of faith and resilience and the kind of hard-earned wisdom so desperately needed in our world today. This STREET POETS PODCAST episode"OF POETRY & PRAYER: The Barbara Fant Story"is a production of Street Poets Inc. (streetpoetsinc.com)• Hosted by Art Quiros• Produced by Chris Henrikson• Edited by Art Quiros• Original Poems by Barbara Fant featured herein include: "LONG LINE," "HANDFULS OF HONEY," "HOUSE OF DUST" and "WHEN HEALING HAS HER WAY." • Additional drumming/music ("Sofa" rhythm) performed by Rhythm Arts Alliance• Street Poets "I Got Love" Podcast Theme Music features:Vocals by BRIA & Taylor Code, Music by Dave WittmanFor more information about Barbara's work, or to purchase her latest collection of poetry "MOUTHS OF GARDEN," we invite you to visit: barbarafant.comFor more information about Street Poets' youth outreach programs in the streets, schools and probation facilities of Los Angeles and beyond: streetpoetsinc.com   METAPHORS BE WITH YOU!  

"THE BURNING RIVER," an origin story for aspiring adults, was conceived as a narrative prayer for transformation & peace.  Inspired by the many traditional stories and songs from around the world that have helped us to remember who we are, and are becoming, here at Street Poets, "The Burning River" is a fresh fable fed by ancient roots.  We hope, as you listen, you'll find some thread of your own story, and of our greater human story, within it. A big THANK YOU to mythologist/storyteller MICHAEL MEADE of Mosaic Multicultural Foundation for the inspiration, and elder MIGUEL RIVERA for teaching us the song in the story, a traditional Mayan song for releasing grief, first gifted to him by the late great poet HUMBERTO AK'ABAL and the Maya K'iché people of Guatemala.This BONUS EPISODE of the STREET POETS PODCAST is hosted by ART QUIROS. and features ORIGINAL MUSIC by RAFAEL BEJARANO."THE BURNING RIVER" was WRITTEN & READ by CHRIS HENRIKSONwith SOUND DESIGN by KEVIN WOODS.Street Poets Podcast THEME SONG "I Got Love" features VOCALS by BRIA and TAYLOR CODE, with MUSIC by DAVE WITTMAN.We invite you to subscribe to the STREET POETS PODCAST on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your inspiration, and to learn more about Street Poets' programs within and beyond Los Angeles at streetpoetsinc.com.METAPHORS BE WITH YOU!

In this inspiring episode, veteran Street Poet David Sanchez remembers his epic journey from the streets of South Central L.A. to the confines of Central Juvenile Hall to the wilderness of the Rocky Mountains and California backcountry to the organic gardens that have become both his passion and his vocation.  As the founder of SEED & SOL ORGANIC GARDENING, David stands today as a living testament to the transformational power of poetry and the natural world.  We hope his story serves to remind you of your own true nature.This STREET POETS PODCAST episode"TRUE NATURE: The David Sanchez Story"is a production of Street Poets Inc. (streetpoetsinc.com)• Hosted by Art Quiros• Produced by Chris Henrikson• Editing & Sound Design by Art Quiros• Interview with David Sanchez• Original Poetry & Music by David Sanchez: this episode features original poems and songs including but not limited to: "Where was God?" "Home (Where I'm From)," "If You Knew Me," "Grains of Hope," "Little Man," "Running" and "American Me."  All of these tracks and more are available on Street Poets Inc. albums via SoundCloud and Bandcamp.• Street Poets "I Got Love" Podcast Theme Music features:Vocals by BRIA & Taylor Code, Music by Dave WittmanFor more information about David Sanchez's organic gardening work in the Los Angeles area, follow SEED AND SOL on Instagram.For more information about Street Poets' youth outreach programs in the streets, schools and probation facilities of Los Angeles and beyond: streetpoetsinc.com   METAPHORS BE WITH YOU!  

In this insightful, music-infused origin story, rapper and current Street Poets board member Chirag Menon a.k.a. CHEE MALABAR breaks down his journey from India to inner-city America at the age of 12, and the role that hip-hop played in his healing, political awakening and evolution as a man.  Today, Chee serves as a principal in the well-respected DEI consulting firm, THIRD SETTLEMENTS, while continuing to make music that inspires change and challenges the status quo.This STREET POETS PODCAST episode "IMMIGRANT SONG: The Chee Malabar Story"is a production of Street Poets Inc. (streetpoetsinc.com)• Hosted by Art Quiros• Produced by Chris Henrikson• Edited by Art Quiros• Interview with Chirag Menon (a.k.a. Chee Malabar) • ORIGINAL MUSIC by CHEE MALABARThis episode includes the following original music featuring lyrics and vocals by Chee Malabar: "Postcards from Paradise" (instrumental: Soulful MPs), "Feral Child" (instrumental: Harry Dixon), "Cold Water Awakening" (instrumental: Scott Kuzner), "Oblique Brown"  "Hafez's Tomb," "Masamune," "Henry" (instrumentals: Harry Dixon). Check out these tracks and other original music by CHEE MALABAR available for download via Bandcamp @cheemalabar.bandcamp.com and Apple Music. This episode also includes excerpts from Street Poets Inc. tracks "Sanskrit" (featuring Pranidhi Varshney), and "Lost Sons" and "American Me" featuring Chee Malabar, and "The Holy" (poem by Chee Malabar), available for download with all Street Poets music @streetpoets.bandcamp.com and at Street Poets Inc. via Soundcloud.• Additional Background Music by Kevin Woods• Street Poets "I Got Love" Podcast Theme Music features:Vocals by BRIA & Taylor Code, Music by Dave WittmanFor more information about Chirag Menon's DEI consulting work: thirdsettlements.comFor more information about Street Poets' youth outreach programs in the streets, schools and probation facilities of Los Angeles and beyond: streetpoetsinc.com   METAPHORS BE WITH YOU!  

Street Poets has been blessed to have many powerful female leaders, healers, writers and teaching artists steward our creative community forward over the past 25 years.  Inspired by the saying "each one, teach one," SISTERS IN RHYME amplifies the original poetry, music and wisdom of three of Street Poets' most gifted co-creators, past and present: spoken-word artist/poet and former Program Director MAYDA DEL VALLE, poet/rapper/DJ/producer/dancer/filmmaker and current program coordinator JAYNESE "JAY" POOLE,  and poet/singer/rapper/producer/teaching assistant and self-proclaimed "poetry geek" AIYANA DA'BRIEL.  Infused with original poetry and music, this episode is a celebration of sisterhood and the creative process.This STREET POETS PODCAST episode "SISTERS IN RHYME"is a production of Street Poets Inc. (streetpoetsinc.com)• Featuring Jaynese "Jay" Poole, Aiyana Da'Briel & Mayda Del Valle• Hosted & Edited by Art Quiros• Produced by Chris Henrikson• Street Poets "I Got Love" Podcast Theme Music features:Vocals by BRIA & Taylor Code, Music by Dave Wittman• "Wild Village" poem by Jaynese "Jay" Poole• "Unprotected" verse written & rapped by Jaynese "Jay" Poole• "Complacent" Vocals & Music by Aiyana Da'Briel• "Dinosaurs in the Hood" Excerpt from poem by Danez Smith (see YouTube to hear Danez perform the poem in its entirety)• "Making My Way Home" poem by Aiyana Da'Briel• Additional Music by Art Quiros• Special Thanks: Jake Falby & New MathMETAPHORS BE WITH YOU!

If Street Poets had a Hall of Fame, LUIS J. RODRIGUEZ would be one of the very first writers our community would choose to honor with enshrinement.  Luis is the former Poet Laureate of Los Angeles and the acclaimed author of 16 books, including the best-selling memoir "Always Running: La Vida Loca, Gang Days in L.A.," known anecdotally as the most stolen book in Los Angeles Public Library history.   In this first installment in our "Fireside" series of conversations with elders, poets and artists who have inspired us,  we steal Luis himself for a  soulful, enlightening conversation infused with indigenous wisdom, poetic medicine, and a true elder's perspective on our rapidly changing world.   Enjoy!This STREET POETS PODCAST episode "FIRESIDE with Luis J. Rodriguez"is a production of Street Poets Inc. (streetpoetsinc.com)• Hosted & Edited by Art Quiros• Produced by Chris Henrikson• Additional Mixing by Jake Falby• Street Poets "I Got Love" Podcast Theme Music features:Vocals by Taylor Code & BRIA, Music by Dave Wittman• Additional Music by Art Quiros• Special Thanks: New MathFor more information about Luis J. Rodriguez, his writing and his work in the world, visit: luisjrodriguez.com or subscribe to THE HUMMINGBIRD CRICKET HOUR Podcast he hosts with his wife Trini Rodriguez.For more information about TIA CHUCHA'S CENTRO CULTURAL, the community-based organization, bookstore and cultural center Luis helped to found, visit: tiachucha.orgFor more information about JAIL GUITAR DOORS, the non-profit organization on which Luis currently serves as a board member, visit: jailguitardoors.orgFor more information about STREET POETS' youth outreach programs in the streets, schools and probation facilities of Los Angeles and beyond: streetpoetsinc.com All three organizations are proud members of the Los Angeles-based ARTS FOR HEALING & JUSTICE NETWORK.  To learn more, visit: ahjnetwork.orgMETAPHORS BE WITH YOU!

In this inspiring, wisdom-infused episode, poet/storyteller/author/educator FRANK “BUSSTOP PROPHET" ESCAMILLA, our beloved Director of School Programs, is joined by Street Poet Jaylen Poole for a heart-warming, soul-stirring conversation about the healing power of poetry, storytelling and Nerd Culture in the ‘hood.  If your inner child hasn't been out to play in awhile, or if you're in need of a vaccine against bitterness and cynicism in these challenging times, just open your ears; we guarantee your heart will follow!This STREET POETS PODCAST episode "SAVED BY A STORY: The World According to Busstop Prophet"is a production of Street Poets Inc. (streetpoetsinc.com)• Hosted by Art Quiros• Featuring Frank "Busstop Prophet" Escamilla with Jaylen Poole• Produced by Chris Henrikson• Edited by Kevin Woods• Sound Design & Original Music by Kevin Woods• Street Poets "I Got Love" Podcast Theme Music features:Vocals by BRIA & Taylor Code, Music by Dave Wittman• Additional voice-over: Kaylyn Wright• Special thanks: Jake Falby & New Math• This episode includes the following original poems by Frank Escamilla: "Boyle Heights" and "It."(To hear more original poetry & music from our recording studio archives, visit Street Poets Inc. on SoundCloud and Bandcamp.)We invite you to visit streetpoetsinc.comto learn more about our youth outreach programs in the streets, schools and probation facilities of Los Angeles and beyond.   METAPHORS BE WITH YOU!

Street Poets founding member TAYLOR CODE MAXIE Jr. reflects back on his redemptive journey through gangs, gunshot wounds and prison to the kind of poetic power and hard-won wisdom that saves lives – one rhyme at a time.  Laced with Taylor's original poetry and music, this episode sheds light and sound on one of our community's most dramatic origin stories.  We offer "HARD WAY HOME" as inspiration for all those who've faced death and chosen life. This STREET POETS PODCAST episode "HARD WAY HOME: The Taylor Code Story"is a production of Street Poets Inc. (streetpoetsinc.com)• Hosted by Art Quiros• Produced by Chris Henrikson• Edited by Art Quiros• Sound Design by Art Quiros• Original Music & Mix by Jake Falby• Original Music by Kevin Woods• Additional Voice: Kaylyn Wright• Street Poets "I Got Love" Podcast Theme Music features:Vocals by BRIA & Taylor Code, Music by Dave Wittman• Special Thanks: New MathThis episode includes the following original poems and songs by Taylor Code: "Face Off," "Bottom Line," and "Not Too Many"(To hear more original poetry & music from our recording studio archives, visit Street Poets Inc. on SoundCloud and Bandcamp.)For more information about Taylor Code and his work in the world: iamtaylorcode.comFor more information about Street Poets' youth outreach programs in the streets, schools and probation facilities of Los Angeles and beyond: streetpoetsinc.com   METAPHORS BE WITH YOU!

Some people on the poetry performance scene are quick to say "Poets should never date poets."  Award-winning spoken-word flame-throwers ALYESHA WISE and MATTHEW CUBAN HERNANDEZ put that maxim to the test every day as partners in rhyme, and in life.  In this episode, they take a break from their duties as Street Poets' program directors, teaching artists and open mic hosts to join our intern Kaylyn Wright in a soulful, enlightening conversation about their love affair with each other, and with the spoken word.   For all you Street Poets Podcast listeners who like a little romance with your rhyme: this one is for you!This STREET POETS PODCAST episode "METAPHORIA: A Slam Poetic Love Story"is a production of Street Poets Inc. (streetpoetsinc.com)• Hosted by Art Quiros• Featuring: Alyesha Wise & Matthew Cuban Hernandezw/Kaylyn Wright• Produced by Chris Henrikson• Edited by Kevin Woods• Sound Design & Original Music by Kevin Woods• Street Poets "I Got Love" Podcast Theme Music features:Vocals by BRIA & Taylor Code, Music by Dave WittmanFor more on Matthew & Alyesha and their poetry, we invite you to visit: matthewcuban.com and alyeshawise.comFor more about Street Poets' youth outreach programs in the streets, schools and probation facilities of Los Angeles and beyond, visit streetpoetsinc.comMETAPHORS BE WITH YOU!

"Love takes off the masks that you know you cannot live within and fear you cannot live without." -James Baldwin Some relationships not only inspire change, they demand it.  When 14-year-old Street Poet Jason Quezada and 34-year-old poetry teacher Chris Henrikson first met in a Los Angeles County Probation camp for boys, neither had any idea how radically each would alter the other's life, while opening pathways to healing for future generations of Street Poets.This unforgettable episode dives deep into the kind of healing that happens in our creative community beyond the page and the stage, into the roots that connect us all to the natural world, to the earth, and to our ancestors.  "Facing our Demons" illuminates some of the deepest shadows of our American culture where metaphor and mystery meet to spark the night wide. "So the darkness shall be the light, and the stillness the dancing." - T.S. EliotThis STREET POETS PODCAST episode "FACING OUR DEMONS: A Multidimensional Mentoring Story"is a production of Street Poets Inc. (streetpoetsinc.com)• Hosted by Art Quiros• Produced by Chris Henrikson• Edited by Art Quiros• Sound Design & Original Music by Art Quiros• Original Music & Mix by Jake Falby• Additional Voice: Kaylyn Wright• Street Poets "I Got Love" Podcast Theme Music features:Vocals by Taylor Code & BRIA, Music by Dave Wittman• Special Thanks: New Math, Mosaic Multicultural FoundationDuncan Allard, Mimi FuenzalidaThis episode includes the following original poems: "Inside Me" and "16" by Jason Quezada"From the Fire" (excerpt) by Chris Henrikson(To hear more original poetry & music from our recording studio archives, visit Street Poets Inc. on SoundCloud and Bandcamp.)For more information about our youth outreach programs in the streets, schools and probation facilities of Los Angeles and beyond: streetpoetsinc.com   METAPHORS BE WITH YOU!

Join Street Poets and Restorative Justice advocate JAVIER STAURING, the former Catholic chaplain in Los Angeles' Central Juvenile Hall and now the Executive Director of Healing Dialogue & Action, as we imagine a justice system that helps to heal wounds rather than deepen them, that prioritizes the common good over blunt punishment.  Through a real-life story of victim-offender reconciliation, thought-provoking dialogue and an original Restorative Justice-themed track from Street Poets' music archives, this episode offers inspiration and nourishment for all those working to create a more just society here in America, and around the world.  Metaphors be with you!This STREET POETS PODCAST episode "RESTORATIVE JUSTICE: Beyond Punishment"is a production of Street Poets Inc. (streetpoetsinc.com)• Hosted by Art Quiros• Special Guest: Javier Stauring• Produced by Chris Henrikson• Edited by Kevin Woods & Art Quiros• Sound Design & Original Music by Kevin Woods• Original Music & Mix by Jake Falby• Additional Voice: Kaylyn Wright• Street Poets "I Got Love" Podcast Theme Music features:Vocals by Taylor Code & BRIA, Music by Dave Wittman• "Let Me Cry" can be found on Street Poets Inc.'s "Smoke Signals" album and features music by Art Quiros & Elmo Gomez, with vocals written and performed by kBEe, Brandon Elliott, CH, Keith Jones and Shirlania• Special Thanks: New MathWe invite you to visit streetpoetsinc.comto learn more about our youth outreach programs in the streets, schools and probation facilities of Los Angeles and beyond. Featured Organizations: Youth Mentoring Connection and Healing Dialogue & Action (both based in Los Angeles)METAPHORS BE WITH YOU!

Our premiere episode amplifies and illuminates the redemptive, healing journey of original Street Poet JORGE NUNEZ – one of our community's most inspiring and resilient creative beings.  Through childhood trauma, gangs, prison and exile, Jorge remains a beacon of hope for all of us in these dark and dynamic times.  We promise,  after listening, you'll feel as we do, that the world is a more soulful and poetic place with Jorge in it.   From all of us at Street Poets Inc., thank you for opening your ears, your minds, and your hearts to this deeply personal, transformational story from one of our organization's founding members.This STREET POETS PODCAST episode "GIFTS & WOUNDS: The Jorge Nunez Story"is a production of Street Poets Inc. (streetpoetsinc.com)• Hosted by Art Quiros• Featuring & Story by Jorge Nunez• Produced by Chris Henrikson• Edited by Kevin Woods & Art Quiros• Sound Design & Music by Kevin Woods• Original Music & Mix by Jake Falby• Additional Voice: Kaylyn Wright• Street Poets "I Got Love" Podcast Theme Music features:Vocals by Taylor Code & BRIA, Music by Dave Wittman• Special Thanks: New MathWe invite you to visit streetpoetsinc.comto learn more about our youth outreach programs in the streets, schools and probation facilities of Los Angeles and beyond. METAPHORS BE WITH YOU!